Male Communication Problems in the Student Body.

This paper summarizes seven "truths" imparted about male sex traits and sex-role stereotypes that stem from extant research reflecting primarily a dual-culture perspective. The paper includes relevant research findings and insights from male students that suggest that some of the conclusions about men's communication should be revisited. The presumed truths are: (1) men listen for facts and not feelings; (2) women are presumed to be the intimacy experts; (3) male friendships are rooted in sharing activities while female friendships are rooted in dialogue; (4) assumptions about men's self-disclosure and friendships are based, in part, on what men talk about; (5) when sexual harassment on college campuses is addressed, the focus tends to be on women as victims because of their presumed powerlessness in the professor/student relationship; (6) male students are told of the enormous benefits that will accrue to those who share equally in the household and childcare responsibilities; and (7) men wield the power in society. The conclusions are that teachers need to scrutinize the "truths" imparted to students and identify the male populations being taught and the point in their lives at which educators encounter them. Contains 33 references. (NKA)